Matildas to play Chile in Penrith, Newcastle
AUSTRALIA’S best football team in any code, the Matildas, will return to Penrith and Newcastle in November for two blockbuster clashes against Chile.
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PENRITH will again be the home of the Matildas with Australia’s most in-form football team to return to Panthers Stadium in November.
Alen Stajcic’s side will face off against South American powerhouse Chile in Penrith on Saturday, November 10, before heading up the M1 for a second clash in Newcastle on Tuesday, November 13, in the inaugural Seven Consulting International Series.
More than 15,000 fans packed into Panthers Stadium to watch the Matildas beat Brazil 2-1 in a pulsating match at Panthers Stadium last September.
At a press conference on Monday, Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop said Penrith had been a “big supporter” of the Matildas and women’s football.
“We know that playing out here last year … we had a sellout,” he said. “Let’s sell it out again like we did last year and then head up to Newcastle for what will be another great game for the Matildas.”
Penrith state Liberal MP and Sport Minister Stuart Ayres said western Sydney was a “nursery of football” with thousands of players and fans calling Penrith home.
Mr Ayres said the Matildas’ clash with Brazil last September was “one of the best days in Penrith last year”.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to call western Sydney the home of the world game later this year,” he said.
Penrith Mayor John Thain, a self-confessed “football nut”, said the Matildas were the finest team in any code of football in Australia.
“Welcome to Penrith, the home of the Matildas,” he said. “Our ambition for this game is to try and beat the record we set last year.
“It was a fantastic game when they played here last year. The stadium was fantastic.
“It was great to see so many young boys and young girls watching the team … the game they play is beautiful.”
Penrith local Mr Stajcic said he had spent many hours at the stadium in his youth watching his beloved Penrith Panthers.
“This is a home game for me as well,” he said.
“What a wonderful occasion it was last year. The team is good at the moment but I know it will get better.”
DETAILS:
Westfield Matildas v Chile
Panthers Stadium, Penrith
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Kick Off: 3:30pm (AEST)